2/3/25 Glendale, AZ – At Immigration Policy Protest – Someone Steals A Glendale Police Vehicle From The Protest – Patrol Car Later Found Damaged – No Arrest At This Time

Police say a gathering at a busy Glendale intersection Sunday night to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies became “violent and unruly” at times, including a situation involving a patrol SUV that was briefly stolen.

According to Glendale police, the department was made aware of the planned demonstration at 67th Avenue and Camelback Road nearly a week ago and that officers were in the area before the first attendees arrived shortly before 5 p.m.

“Both Glendale PD and Phoenix PD were already in place with the purpose of ensuring the safety of protestors, commuters, nearby businesses/property, and officers,” Glendale police said in a news release.

Police say the protests were peaceful at first, with attendees staying on the sidewalks. But by 7:30 p.m., police estimate that more than 1,000 people were in the area as protesters took over the intersection.

Many protesters began lighting fireworks and were “behaving unruly and defiant towards officers.” Police then posted a traffic alert to social media, asking the public to avoid the area.

Police say one of the protesters later jumped into one of Glendale PD’s patrol SUVs and drove off. The vehicle was driven only a short distance and abandoned at a nearby intersection. Officers recovered the SUV, but did not find the suspect.

Department officials say five fully-marked patrol SUVs were damaged during the night, including shattered windows and windshields, slashed tires and damage to hoods and other body panels. Police say attendees also threw explosive devices, large rocks, chunks of concrete and glass bottles at officers.

Officials say people in the area who were not involved in the protests, such as employees at nearby businesses, had to shelter in place. Some area businesses were also damaged, as well as employees’ vehicles, and a large storage container was set on fire behind one of the buildings.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Glendale and Phoenix police officers “deployed various chemical agents to disperse the unlawful assembly,” and the intersection was clear about 20 minutes later.

No arrests have been made, but Glendale police say detectives are working to identify suspects involved in the criminal damage cases and assault on officers. Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 623-930-3000, or to remain anonymous, call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377).